Achieve luminous skin and silky hair with our guide to the best beauty products around

19 Aug 2022

It has long been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and while we are inclined to agree, we also think it is in the eye of those in the know. The last few years have seen the beauty industry make impressive strides in new and innovative products that do more than simply create an even base or add a pop of colour.

And while I might have started my beauty journey in the era of Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse, I’m the first to admit that I am not always the easiest to impress (largely due to my sensitive skin and damaged barrier, courtesy of the products I am constantly trialling in the name of editorial research). That said, over the last few months, there has been a raft of new beauty products released that have proven more than impressive. Here are the highlights.

La Bouche Rouge Lipstick
Literally translating to red lips in French, this sumptuous makeup brand produces environmentally responsible, natural formulas in refillable, recyclable, plastic-free cases. Since its debut in 2017, the world’s most discerning fashionistas have fast become obsessed with its lust-worthy offerings. Each of La Bouche Rouge’s serum-infused makeup formulas is free from petrochemicals, toxins, plastic powder, micro-plastics, silicones, beeswax and preservatives — all without compromising on the luxury aesthetic that has made this brand so sought-after. Having just arrived in Faradays as the luxury department store’s first ever beauty brand, we are particularly enamoured with the lipsticks, for their silky, stay-all-day formula. Discover more about the beautiful brand (and enter our exclusive La Bouche Rouge giveaway — valued at more than $3000 — here.

Tronque New Body Butter Formulation
Tronque’s beloved Firming Body Butter has finally returned, with a new formulation that prides itself on a divine new 100% natural fragrance designed in Grasse, France — one that the perfumer shares, is their most natural ever produced. Just as soothing and luxurious as their previous weighty formulas, this body butter is our all-over essential for any time of year.

Sisley Paris Supremÿa At Night The Supreme Anti-Aging Skin Care Lotion
As pioneers of sublime skincare, Sisley Paris’ Supremÿa is a proven, powerful, anti-aging lotion that will become an essential first step in your night-time ritual. Combining the efficacy of a serum with the luxury of a cream, it harnesses Sisley’s Phyto-Complex LC12 to deliver seriously impressive, visible results.

Rose Inc Solar Infusion Soft-Focus Cream Bronzer
Harnessing the beautiful glow garnered from a stint in the sun (without the harmful UV), the latest beauty trend is all about dusty blush and perfectly-placed bronzer. Enter Rose Inc: the gorgeous sustainable brand from the equally gorgeous Rosie Huntington Whitley, whose cream bronzers deliver the long-lasting sunkissed moment our winter skin is craving. Opt for generous application using a fluffy brush to achieve a look that will leave you luminous.

Emma Lewisham Supernatural Sleeping Mask
When Emma Lewisham announces a new addition to her coveted range, those in the beauty realm know that it is guaranteed to be a cult favourite. This ‘beauty sleep in a bottle’ night mask offers a rich dose of hyaluronic acid, ceramides and unparalleled hydration. I’m not one to overexaggerate, but this Supernatural Sleeping Mask is divine, having literally healed my damaged barrier and winter dry patches overnight with ease.

New Dyson Airwrap & Attachments
As the Dyson Airwrap’s most loyal fan, little could part me from the trusty model that I’ve held onto for years. However, the latest re-edition of this haircare investment offers more in the way of much-needed bells and whistles, working through a few tricky design flaws to make my daily blow wave entirely fuss-free. The new curling barrels, for example, have interchangeable airflow directions, removing the need to change them out on every curl. But my favourite part is the new rough dry attachment, which minimises those final flyaways that few products seem to take.

RevitaLash Cosmetics Brow & Lash Masque
Between swiping RevitaLash Advanced on my lashes and RevitaBrow Advanced on my brows, my lashes and brows have never looked so healthy. But the latest addition to my collection promises some of the most coveted conditioning yet. Launched earlier this month, the RevitaLash Cosmetics Lash & Brow Masque is a physician-developed treatment that addresses visible signs of compromised lashes and brows, both immediately and in the long term. This is a nutrient-rich, hero product for those beauty addicts all too familiar with over-styling, daily make-up usage and the damage caused by environmental stressors — an easy addition to work into your Sunday night mask ritual.

Byredo Shimmering Lipstick in Amber In Furs
Byredo is an adored name in the realm of luxury fragrance and is a mainstay in most curated perfume collections. Yet this latest addition to the brand’s beauty offering is another example of why we often ask, ‘what can’t they do?’. The nourishing formula and beautiful casing make for an easy lip balm replacement, and the long-lasting pigment (especially in Ambur In Furs) makes it the ideal everyday lipstick.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Repair Hair Mask
Despite laying down the hot tools in favour of nourishing our tresses, it’s still hard to minimise the drying and damage hair is subjected to on a daily basis. Trust Dr. Barbara Sturm to develop a new nourishing formula that provides intensive, targeted repair and care for dry and damaged hair. Using Cationic Hyaluronic Acid (the same that we put on our faces), this new product is perfect to use on those days when you feel like rocking a slick, glossy supermodel bun.

La Mer The Micro Peel
La Mer rarely adds new products to its already impressive stable, but when it does, we know with certainty that they’re bound to be some of the most luxurious (but still effective) new additions to any beauty routine. The brand’s new Micro Peel lives up to its promise of ‘visible transformation by morning’. Offering polished perfection and a clarified complexion, this formula is soothing and nourishing while getting the hard work done (while you sleep). Availabe at Mecca Commercial Bay.

Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch
As a clean beauty aesthetic reigns supreme, innovative new makeup is at the top of our wishlists. Take Chanel’s Les Beiges Touche De Teint, for instance, a new serum foundation that blends seamlessly onto the face to become a lasting, hydrating base for effervescent skin, all day long.

Costa Brazil Aroma — Jungle
I’m of the firm belief that fragrances should be curated just like a closet or accessories collection — with different scents answering to the needs of the day. Because there are certain times I like to call on Costa Brazil’s Jungle Aroma, a unisex fragrance with just the right hint of masculinity. Inspired by the natural resin produced in the Amazon, this fresh yet spicy fragrance features a blend of ingredients that are known for their stress-reducing properties, transporting you to a calm, canopied rainforest in your mind (if not in reality).

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick
While contour may not be cut and carved with the same intensity as it was a few years ago, there still remains a place for a subtle and reliable contour stick in every beauty regime. Westman Atelier’s Face Trace stick is both parts luxurious and utterly wearable, with a creamy formula that blends perfectly into any base and incorporates skincare-like properties of hydration and oil absorption, to help the product stay in place. To top it all off is the signature essence of luxury — a hallmark of Westman Atelier products. Because if you’re going to be investing in your beauty routine, why not add a little touch of opulence? Availabe at Mecca Commercial Bay.

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These are the winter-warmer dishes you need to keep the chill at bay

18 Aug 2022

Balmy summer days have been replaced by cold, rainy nights, and a hunger for foods that warm us from the inside out. While it’s not quite soup weather yet, we’re nearly there, and dinner reservations see us seeking comfort and warmth. The city’s restaurants know this too, with many adapting seasonal menus to offer the best winter warmer dishes that are inspired and soul-soothing.

So for when the fireplace doesn’t feel quite warm enough, or your usual favourites no longer cut it, these are the dishes across the city that you need to be eating for a touch of winter warmth.

Slow-Cooked Coastal Lamb Shoulder from Hello Beasty. Roasted Eggplant from Onemata.

Slow-Cooked Coastal Lamb Shoulder — Hello Beasty
While Hello Beasty’s menu is designed to be shared, we wouldn’t blame you for keeping this dish to yourself. Again drawing on the wintery flavours of lamb at its best and served with red chilli, Szechuan sauce, coriander and mint, it incorporates heat in every sense of the word and is drawing us down to Viaduct Harbour this winter.

Roasted Eggplant — Onemata
Although often praised for its elevated seafood offering (which makes sense considering its views across the water) Onemata’s vegetarian options are nothing to be sniffed at. In fact, the roasted eggplant is one of our favourite dishes, particularly at this time of year. Served in a pool of babaganoush with truffle and date syrup, the magnificent flavours of this dish shine in their simplicity, and will enchant even the most avid meat-eater.

Gnocchi with Roast Cauliflower — Faraday’s Bar
Faraday’s Bar — located in Faradays department store — is perhaps Parnell’s best-kept culinary secret, with a refined menu that heroes some of the country’s best produce. Now, as cooler days start to take over, it is dishes like Faraday’s Bar’s gnocchi with roast cauliflower that we turn to. Served with golden raisins, toasted almonds and gorgonzola, this is a creative take on classically comforting flavours, and we can’t get enough.

Chargrilled Chicken — Amano
Amano can always be relied upon for its sensational takes on seasonal produce, and this dish is no exception. Embracing the best of winter foods, this chargrilled chicken feels much like a precursor to a Sunday roast, only here, its celeriac, onion and rosemary that drive the flavours. Our advice? Order with side of chargrilled Brussels sprouts to round out the meal.

Lamb Ribs ‘Pyanggang’ — Bar Magda
Lamb is one of the most comforting things to eat in winter and Bar Magda’s fresh take offers both the warmth and flavour we crave. Made via a traditional Filipino method of cooking, this iteration of lamb ribs is served with soft herbs and green sambal, and is a flavoursome, moreish dish we can’t help coming back to time and time again.

Beetroot Risotto — Andiamo
This Herne Bay mainstay offers exactly what we crave in the cooler months, with a number of dishes designed to satiate our seasonal needs. That said, the new beetroot risotto is a particular standout, offering a comforting combination of red wine, roasted shallot, salt-baked beetroot and ricotta salata.

Aged Beef Fillet — Non Solo Pizza
Hearty, beautifully-cooked and full of mouth-watering flavour, Non Solo Pizza’s aged beef fillet is a must on any winter warming list. Proving the power of simple foods done perfectly, this beloved dish pairs its expertly-prepared meat with slow-roasted tomatoes, crispy polenta and a healthy dose of garlic butter, for good measure.

Maltagliati & Beef Cheek Ragu — Cotto
Cotto’s seasonal pasta dishes have all of the makings of winter classics, and the restaurant’s refined approach keeps the offering elevated. Here, mouthwatering beef cheek ragu is combined with fresh handmade pasta, peppercorns and guanciale to offer the perfect medley of warmth, comfort and flavour.

Braised Boar — Cazador
Dominion Road’s Cazador is renowned for its approach to meat that is second to none in this city. With a delicious menu and cosy interior perfectly suited to winter, Cazador boasts a range of options that will warm the soul this season, but its braised boar with saffron fazzoletti, red wine, juniper, tomato and rosemary is one of our favourites.

Ricotta Tortellacci, Pumpkin, Sage, Pancetta — Ortolana
Offset rainy days by cosying up in the pillowy fit-out of Ortolana to enjoy this delicious ricotta tortellacci. The classically warming combination of pumpkin and sage hits the perfect note, making this dish must for anyone seeking some lunchtime comfort on cold days.

Aegean Island Goat — Lokanta
Grey Lynn’s Lokanta is a hidden gem, beloved for its homely take on Mediterranean cuisine, and its Aegean Island Goat is a must-try. A traditional, beautiful dish of braise-roasted goat served with barley risotto and caramelised carrot and soaked in pan juices, it is exactly this kind of tasty goodness we want to eat right now.

Murgh Makhani (with Garlic Naan) — Mumbaiwala
When it’s cold outside, few things hit the spot like a butter chicken. At Mumbaiwala, the elevated take on Indian cuisine provides the perfect comfort. Murgh Makhani is a traditional take on butter chicken (and so good that we are ruined for others), served with impossibly tender chicken pieces in a rich silk (Makhani) sauce with fresh tomatoes, sundried fenugreek and a side of satiating garlic naan.

Matzo Ball Soup — Federal Delicatessen
Known as the ‘Jewish Penicillin’, this particular type of chicken soup boasts the remarkable ability to make one feel like all is right with the world. The Fed’s take is truly delicious, and will indeed encourage this feeling of toasty wellbeing, served as it is with shredded chicken and bagel matzo balls, for a dish is destined to warm you from the inside out.

Alpine Merino Lamb Rump — Oyster & Chop
Viaduct Harbour’s Oyster & Chop is renowned for its cuts, and the Alpine Merino Lamb Rump can’t be faulted. Cooked to your definition of perfection, this is one of the best places for a steak in the city, and one that should not be looked past this season.

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Embrace leather weather with the sleek jackets we are coveting this season

16 Aug 2022

Few garments have remained a wardrobe staple quite like a leather jacket. Equal parts necessity and style statement, a leather jacket has always asserted itself (and will continue to do so) as a key piece for both the fashion set and those who apply a ’buy once, buy right’ philosophy to their wardrobes.

In its many iterations, the leather jacket is timeless, essential, and a provider of just the right balance of warmth and steeze. Be it in the more elegant and tailored shape of a blazer, or a rebellious take on the boxy biker silhouette, one should always consider the importance of adding a little leather to any look.

From the left: Leather Suit Jacket from Saint Laurent. Double-breasted leather jacket from Prada. Totême Double-breasted croc-effect leather blazer from Mytheresa. Embossed GG leather jacket from Gucci.

From the left: Bottega Veneta Leather coat from Mytheresa. Embossed Monogram Bomber Jacket from Louis Vuitton. Nanushka Hide Puffer Jacket from Muse Boutique.

From the left: Acne Studios Cropped Biker Jacket from Workshop. Biker Jacket from Dior. Suki Slinkskin Jacket from BONZ. Alexandre Vauthier Leather Biker Jacket from Faradays.

From the left: Aje Porta Nuova Trench Coat from Commercial Bay. Flare Hourglass Coat from Balenciaga.

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Making a case for eclecticism, this fun Sydney penthouse is colourful, charming & chic

PHOTOS Prue Ruscoe | 15 Aug 2022

The vision for the D r eam Weaver penthouse by YSG Studio was to be an expression of its experimental, open-minded owners, and a home that refused to play into contemporary trends. As such, the interiors are a kaleidoscopic cacophony of colour and texture, almost cinematic in scale, and pulling from a vast array of inspiration. From a nod to the tonal tiles found in traditional Spanish tapas bars to a material expression of the Northern Lights, to a futuristic, 2001 A Space Odyssey vibe with a twist of Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavillion thrown in for good measure, Dream Weaver is rich and layered and full of life — which is really what all homes strive to be.

Here, there is a compelling tension created between the straightforwardness of the penthouse’s boxy construction and pared-back (but essential) glass facade and its “Pantone party” interiors, in which oversized soft furnishings, plush deep-piled rugs and swirling stone surfaces collide in unexpected harmony. And while the intriguing material layering offers a fascinating masterclass in courageous design, it also serves to demarcate the apartment’s spaces, lending depth and dimension via tactile warmth.

The home’s interior also benefits from its Darlinghurst location and floor-to-ceiling windows that not only offer unbeatable views across Sydney Harbour but act as conduits for natural light. As a result, the colours used here, from deep blue, red and purple, to splashes of citrusy orange, bright yellow, brass and soft pink, come alive when illuminated by the antipodean sun.

Really, the charm of this home lies in its disinterest in fitting into any kind of mould. And while there is a lot going on here, it miraculously never feels too much. (Such is the skill with which those at YSG Studio have ensured that everything feels perfectly balanced.) It is also refreshing to see a home in which fun and creativity have been allowed to take centre stage — a timely reminder of the wonderful things that can happen when our spaces truly reflect who we are.

Cipria Armchair by Fernando and Humberto Campana for Edra. Brand available locally from Design 55.

Grande Soffice Sofa by Edra. Brand available locally from Design 55.

Cortina Outdoor Armchair by Gordon Guillaumier for Minotti from ECC, Volley Loungers from Tait.

Harp chairs by Rodolfo Dordoni for Roda from ECC.

28 Series Pendant Lights by Bocci from ECC.

Saarinen Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll from Studio Italia and the 28 Series Pendant Lights by Bocci from ECC.

Press Mirror by Tim Webber from Tim Webber Design.

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Here’s why NZ’s first net carbon-zero drycleaners is the only place to trust with your clothes

11 Aug 2022

Everyone drycleans. Be it your regular laundry preference or a more occasional service, reserved for expensive suits and luxury gowns, regular trips to the drycleaner are unavoidable. And while nothing else is as effective at reviving a beautiful garment, there can be an ugly side to this service; where historically, harsh chemicals and single-use products have been required in the cleaning process, significantly impacting the planet (and the quality of our clothes too). That said, not all drycleaners are created equal, and recently, our longstanding go-to, Regal Drycleaners, was officially announced as the country’s only certified zero carbon outfit, so now, our conscience can be as clean as our clothes.

Despite its long history as the leading drycleaner in Auckland, Regal’s recent acquisition of an Ekos Certification (a New Zealand-based measurable and verifiable standard) really cements our trust in the brand’s ethos. It has been a rigorous road to reach this point, but this status now means that an independent body has observed the carbon emissions within each element of the company’s business activities. And in instances where Regal was unable to change its processes to be more eco-conscious, efforts have, instead, been directed towards fully offsetting its carbon footprint by supporting the Babatana Rainforest Project in the Pacific Islands.

But it’s where changes have been made that is the exciting and industry-disrupting part. Unnecessary packaging is a thing of the past, with single-use plastic garment bags banned entirely, and biodegradable film only offered as an optional extra, giving the power of choice back to the customer (something that should really be the new standard). In addition, there is also an offer of a reusable garment bag, which can become your new drycleaning regular (and doubles as a laundry bag when you’re ready to take everything back again). To add to that, the Couture Care service (the only service we would use for our most precious pieces) offers wooden hangers instead of the typical plastic.

As far as the chemical impact is considered, there are many benefits to using Regal’s cleaning processes — the gentler solutions help our beloved garments last longer. This limits potential textile waste and avoids toxic chemicals that some other drycleaners use (that have been shown to harm the planet, as well as the workers exposed to them daily).

Continuing in the vein of maximising the lifespan of our clothes, Regal’s specialised restoration services will bring pieces that we might have written off (and thrown out) back to life, and the company also offers a free pick-up and delivery service, which (in addition to being utterly convenient) tackles the cumulative carbon emissions of our individual, sole-purpose trips to drop off dry-cleaning.

With all of these thoughtful additions considered, it makes sense that Regal is our drycleaner of choice. And, given that the brand was voted the best in the city by our readers in last year’s Everyday Heroes, it’s safe to say that whenever we need drycleaning done, there’s only one place we’ll be calling.

www.regaldrycleaners.co.nz

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How this personalised vitamin service will revolutionise the way you take supplements

10 Aug 2022

As we face down the various winter flus that are coming at us from all directions, it is this time of the year in particular that simple wellness habits are paramount. And one daily ritual that often is forgotten is a simple dose of vitamins — with all the essential nutrients needed to maintain optimal health and fill in any nutrient gaps in your diet.

In a bid to Marie Kondo our bathroom cabinets, we have been searching for supplement solutions that reduce our need for bottles and bottles of pills that, honestly, we don’t even know if our body actually needs. We’ve recently discovered Vitable — a company that is revolutionising the way people take their vitamins via a personalised system that is now available to New Zealanders too.

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Vitable makes taking vitamins almost a novel concept. Its process begins with an expert quiz to understand a bit more about your current health and lifestyle habits before (only moments later) an expert-informed algorithm recommends a bespoke combination of daily supplements in the correct dose for you. Your recommendation is fully tailored to what your body needs, out of 1.2 million possible vitamin combinations. With rationale for how each supplement would benefit you clearly explained, the monthly supplies are curated and your bespoke monthly vitamins are custom formulated, just for you. But what makes this brand a cut above the rest is the ways in which it has collaborated with pharmacists, naturopaths, nutritionists and other health experts to leverage the latest, most effective products, ensuring that every recommendation is of the highest quality and offers the most efficient results.

Essentially, Vitable’s core offering is based on your daily needs. Your supplements are delivered each month in personalised daily vitamin sachets, providing just the right amount of nutrients you need each morning, and leaving nothing to be desired. It is simple, targeted, sustainable and efficient.

We get that some may consider a concept like this potentially wasteful, which is why Vitable prides itself on carbon neutrality. The plastic-free daily sachets are actually compostable at home (made from sustainably-harvested eucalyptus trees), so you’re replacing all those plastic bottles on your bench for a sustainable alternative. The sachets are made even more easily dispensable thanks to the addition of a chic, neutral tin — the perfect place in which to store your daily doses and clear all the clutter.

So if you are looking to up the ante when it comes to your health and implement a foolproof daily supplement regime, Vitable’s offering is the perfect place to start, and the brand is offering Denizen readers an exclusive $100 off the first four months. Take the online quiz and start your journey to daily health here.

www.bit.ly/3AhGZRS

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Taco Medic has opened a delicious outpost in Auckland’s CBD, just in time for summer

10 Aug 2022

Since setting up its first North Island taqueria on Ponsonby Road earlier this year, Taco Medic (originally from Queenstown) has become a go-to for those seeking simple, tasty food and a lively atmosphere — its popularity proved by its always-busy locations. That said, there is always plenty to go around, especially today as Taco Medic opens the doors to a second Auckland outpost on Quay Street — the next in a long line of Mexican diners to come.

Furthering Taco Medic’s fiesta vibe, this new waterfront eatery clearly has summer on its mind, with a courtyard that overlooks the harbour and a frozen margarita menu that is hard to rival. But on top of the new offerings from Taco Medic, including a bar and a raft of new dishes, it is the classics that we expect to see diners coming back for time and time again.

It’s Taco Medic’s commitment to the cuisine that makes it so adored. One hundred percent gluten-free tacos are made and prepared in-store, with flavours like the Adobo Chicken and the Al Pastor being some of the most popular (alongside an abundance of plant-based offerings). “It all starts with our fresh handmade tortillas, making all of our products in-house, great quality meats, fresh fish and topped with our selection of house-made hot sauces,” Co-Founder Robbie McGillivray shares with me. “The final part of the recipe is love and passion for great food.”

Thanks to its steadfast dedication to bringing quality tacos to the masses, Taco Medic Quay Street is one destination we will happily welcome, and with summer just around the corner, we’re predicting that this spot will swiftly become popular with city-slickers seeking mouthwatering food and a laid-back, convivial atmosphere.

This competition is now closed.

Taco Medic Quay Street

188 Quay Street,
Auckland CBD, Auckland

www.tacomedic.co.nz

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Gray’s is the cute new cafe, shop and soon-to-be wine bar that should be on your radar

10 Aug 2022

Remaining at the forefront of some of the most talked-about new openings in town (see Ooh-Fa and Famous Eddy) Dominion Road is drawing us down its lively, food-filled stretch again this week, with the opening of Gray’s — a charming new spot that everyone should visit.

Located across the road from Cazador, Gray’s Wine Bar boasts a refined, understated frontage that gives way to a cosy, light-filled interior. Officially opened last week (after a couple of covid-related delays) this cute new space is a coffee-shop-wine-bar hybrid, with the welcome addition of a small vintage and artisan-goods shop, designed to be perused while you pick at your pain au chocolat.

It seems like the kind of space that would come together after years of thought and planning, and yet, according to its owners Daniel Nisbet and Grayson Dauphin, Gray’s was started on a whim. When the friends saw a space for lease, they initially thought, ‘someone better put a wine bar there’, before the thought process shifted to, ‘why not us?’

Some lease politics later, the duo was finally given the space of their dreams — 771 Dominion Road — and while they wait for their liquor licence to come through, they have created a space that serves multiple purposes, which actually gives Gray’s its point of difference. “We are not seeking to be one thing,” Nisbet reflects. “Hopefully, this means that no one thing is our ‘tent pole’, so we are freer to explore all the interesting parts of running a space. We can connect with lots of different people, like our sellers, which helps extend our reach, and ultimately create a space full of cool things and people we can be proud of.”

And that is the epitome of Gray’s offering. Rich Coffee Roasters coffee and Messy Kitchen Bakes goods by day and soon, beautiful wines by night. The curation of shoppable goods is available at any time. So while we wait for the outpost to open its after-dark offering, it is a gorgeous daytime venue in which we will happily post up for our daily coffee and a tasty baked treat (or two). We should expect any future evolutions of Gray’s Wine Bar to happen just as organically as its inception, be that live music in the basement or an expansion of the retail element — we’re only too eager to see what the future holds.

Opening hours:
Tuesday — Friday, 7.30am until 3pm
Saturday — Sunday 8am until 3pm
Closed Mondays.

Gray's Wine Bar

771 Dominion Road,
Mount Eden, Auckland

www.instagram.com/grayswinebar

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Meet Ooh-Fa: The pizza and wine bar from the city’s favourite pasta chefs

5 Aug 2022

When Pici’s cacio e pepe was voted Auckland’s best dish earlier this year, it really came as no surprise. Since the St Kevin’s Arcade restaurant opened two years ago, it has become a beloved addition to the city’s burgeoning Italian culinary scene. Founded by Jono Thevenard, Kazuya Suzuki and Gemma Hareb, the concept of Pici was somewhere that served simple, humble and delicious food — and at its core, the concept of their new restaurant is much the same.

Last year Fraser Childs joined the Pici team, and while his talents most certainly include pasta, his first love (of 10 years) was authentic woodfired pizzas. It was a concept that the collective was only too happy to explore. Today they officially open the doors to their new Dominion Road restaurant, Ooh-Fa, a neighbourhood pizzeria specialising in unspeakably delicious fermented sourdough pizzas and exquisite wines.

“Pizza is often perceived as fast food,” Hareb tells me. “However, there is a long process involved that people don’t often consider. Fermentation of our sourdough will be at least 72 hours, so making sourdough pizzas becomes an art. There is a connection between the maker and the dough, a living organism.”

Perhaps, for this reason, the attention to detail, Ooh-Fa feels like a step up from the pizza joints we are used to. With a comfortable, warm atmosphere, thanks to its woodfire oven and a local feel, the 22-seater restaurant is the perfect neighbourhood spot to drop into and catch up with friends over a slice or two and some delectable wine.

“We are really focused on keeping this an intimate wine bar and restaurant,” explains Hareb. “While there are many spots to get pizza in Tāmaki Makaurau, there aren’t many really focused on a wine bar setting. We want this space to be a welcoming neighbourhood vibe — one you’d go for a no-fuss pizza and a glass of wine, or you can go all out for a special evening.”

Bringing in the essence of traditional flavours, Ooh-Fa’s offerings are far from the norm. The focus on fermentation also goes beyond the bases alone, with small snacks available like pickled cauliflower, carrots, beetroot and onion served with bagna gauda.

Hero pizzas include those we would expect, like the marinara (with tomato, garlic, and oregano plus added stracciatella) or a seasonally-inspired cavolo nero with Italian sausage, mozzarella and oregano. An unlikely crowd favourite? The woodfired carrots with whipped ricotta and pistachios — a simple side that everyone needs to try.

And to further distance its offering from the traditional pizza experience, Ooh-Fa won’t be doing takeaways. The owners agree their pizzas are best enjoyed straight out of the oven, in the restaurant’s cosy, hospitable surrounds — with the Front of House led with inimitable care and grace by Sha Singh (a former Hero Sandwich House star).

Ooh-Fa’s playful approach to ferments also extends to its drinks menu, where a curation of wines perfectly complement the kitchen’s offerings. Selected by James Pain of Pici notoriety (a familiar face also from this year’s Hospo Heroes), the list draws inspiration from mostly natural wines, with a focus on New Zealand and Italian grape varietals where the inspiration calls for it. And to round out any meal here perfectly, the kitchen is making its own gelato — the best ending to a night of pizza and wine.

With snaps of the soft opening making waves across social media over the last week, today marks the official opening day with a party to celebrate tonight. The first official night of service will be Wednesday the 10th of August, and the restaurant will be operating at a 50% booking, 50% walk-in capacity. If you ask us, this celebration marks the beginning of a legacy destination, and a new go-to for the best pizza in the city.

Ooh-Fa

357 Dominion Road,
Mount Eden, Auckland

www.instagram.com/oohfa__

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These are the fascinating new docos to add to your watch list now

5 Aug 2022

Never has there been a better time to tuck into a little light watching that contributes to your broader trivia knowledge, or acts as an impetus for fun conversation starters at winter dinner parties. From religious cults to fashion pioneers, these are the documentaries that we’re watching right now.

Keep Sweet: Prey and Obey
A four-part documentary surrounding the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, an offshoot of mainstream Mormonism, and its current leader Warren S. Jeffs. Watch on Netflix

Black & Blues – The Colorful Ballad of Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong’s distinctive voice is globally renowned, but his backstory is less talked about. In a fascinating new documentary, director Sacha Jenkins pulls back the curtain on the musician’s life and legacy. Watch on Apple TV+

Quant
Mary Quant, a trailblazing fashion rebel forever ahead of her time in the 1960s set the tone for fashion generations to come. In this documentary, audiences peer into the iconoclast’s mind over the decades and how she inspired individuality in fashion as we know it today. With appearances from those closest to her, this documentary is sure to breathe new life and inspiration into your closet. Watch in cinemas from August 18th

Prehistoric Planet
From Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth comes a docuseries of epic proportions. Narrated by David Attenborough and scored by Hans Zimmer, Prehistoric Planet transports viewers back 66 million years to paint a picture of what the Earth would have looked like when dinosaurs roamed the land, sea and sky. Watch on Apple TV+

The Velvet Queen
Photographer Vincent Munier and writer Sylvain Tesson document their mission to catch a glimpse of a rare snow leopard in Tibet. Uncovering parts of the natural world we don’t often see, The Velvet Queen has been described as a ‘lyrical nature film more concerned with soulfulness than spectacle’, and delivers remarkable insight into the world around us, and why we need to start taking the future of the planet seriously. Watch in cinemas now

The Girl in the Picture
A young mother’s mysterious death and her son’s kidnapping blows open the door to a frightening story full of twists and turns that delve into the woman’s true identity and the federal fugitive at the heart of it all. With a stranger-than-fiction story that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, this true crime doco is the genre at its finest. You won’t be able to tear your eyes away.

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